“These Challenges offer significant purses to these quality ranch horses being produced by Ranching Heritage Breeders,” said Kim Lindsey, AQHA director of ranching. “These horses are ranch-raised and demonstrate the great versatility of the American Quarter Horse.”

Ranching Heritage Challenges are open to any horse bred by an AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeder and enrolled in the program. AQHA Ranching Heritage Breeders are breeders who have been breeding American Quarter Horses for at least 10 years and whose horses are primarily bred to work on a cattle ranch. Horses foaled in 2010 and earlier are automatically enrolled into the program with no additional fees due.

Anyone can own and show these eligible and enrolled horses in the Challenges.

Competitors who show at a 2019 Challenge event will qualify to compete at the 2020 AQHA Ranching Heritage Challenge Finals.

The Challenges offer multiple divisions for various ages and skill levels for both horse and rider. Classes include working ranch horse and ranch riding; some Challenge events also offer team roping and barrel racing.

AQHA appreciates the generous sponsorship of John Deere, Nutrena, Weaver Leather and the Ranch Horse Journal in supporting these Ranching Heritage events.